There is a world of difference between gender equality and equal opportunity. Equal numbers will never attain equality be it at boardroom level or when receiving national awards.

I would prefer to strive for equal opportunity. No person should be precluded from a job, position, promotion or award due to gender. On the other hand, no one should expect any favouritism. Certain positions require experience.

I would like to see a board composed completely of women or, at least, dominated by women. In any case, all boards are composed of an odd number of directors and, thus, there can never be equality in numbers between males and females.

Preferential treatment to women might result in discrimination against men.

Preferential treatment to women might result in discrimination against men

Having said all that, I feel that the question of gender equality is being tackled in the wrong way. How can we talk about equality when many women are being denied the opportunity to achieve their potential? Take a look what is happening around the world.

Under the guise of customs, religion and a myriad other excuses, women are still being treated as chattels.

Girls are denied any form or education. Babies are butchered. Young girls forced to marry against their will.

Under the guise of religion, women have to cover their head, if not their face, to be servile to men.

These are the main problems facing modern societies.

I feel it is incongruent that certain groups are so myopic as to ignore what is happening around them. It might take years for any tangible results to be seen but by seeking numerical equality progress will be stifled. The problem of gender equality is wider and requires far-reaching efforts.

I suggest that Malta takes the initiative to introduce a charter for women, first at the national level, then through the European Union and, finally, at the United Nations.

I expect there will be opposition but men, leaders and nations have to be educated and shown that if women are treated as human beings it will be a win-win situation.

Nomadic and centuries-old traditions cannot be accepted in this day and age. No nation can accept two classes of citizens because, in the long run, this would be a recipe for disaster.

Unfortunately, certain men suffer from acute inferiority complex and are terrified that women will gain the upper hand. Their best defence is to open their minds.

One cannot stifle progress by repression.

There used to be hardly any difference between Judeo, Christian and Islamic traditions regarding women. Achieving progress has not been an easy process but, through perseverance, women will attain equality.

Islam is not alone in the repression of women. Christianity had nothing to boast about but, finally, good sense prevailed.

Therefore, I make a public call to organisations, unions, Churches of different faiths and the Government to unite and draft a democratic charter based on modern ideals.

The charter must not be a half-baked measure. It could be implemented in stages to give time for changes to be accepted and getting used to.

The charter should include immediate, short-term and long-term objectives. This must be concurrent with an intensive educational campaign to show certain leaders that women can be trusted and are not in completion with them.

People in their thousands are seeking a better life in developed countries. These must appreciate that progress and development were attained through sacrifice and accept that changes in mentality are essential.